DNV GL’s Karen Conover Ranked #18 on Women’s Power List: The Top 100 Women Working in Wind

DNV GL’s Karen Conover has been recognized by A Word About Wind in the Women’s Power List: The Top 100 Women Working in Wind, ranking at number 18. The report aims to celebrate exceptional women around the world contributing to the continued growth and success of the wind industry. The report is the first of its kind, with rankings compiled by the A Word About Wind editorial team in collaboration with an impartial senior advisory board. Karen Conover’s position on the list testifies her recognition as thought leader in the American wind energy market. Currently being vice president at DNV GL – Energy, Conover has been a member of the American Wind Energy Association’s board of directors since 1997. She is a former president of the AWEA Board, has served as chair of WINDPOWER and is the current chair of the Membership and Awards Committees. She also serves on the board of Women of Wind Energy.

Conover has worked in the wind industry for more than 25 years in multiple executive positions. In 1994, she founded and served as CEO of Global Energy Concepts, an engineering and technology consultancy that specialized in the analysis, design, evaluation, testing and management of wind energy systems and projects. When GEC was acquired by DNV in 2008, Conover became the director of its wind energy operations, before becoming vice president of DNV GL in 2012. “Karen is one of the true pioneers of wind energy in the US, promoting a wind vision way ahead of most of us who are active in the business today,” said Carole Barbeau, DNV GL president of energy advisory for the Americas region. “Since she joined DNV GL, Karen has made a significant impact on our company, not only from her leadership and strategic mindset, but also by sharing her knowledge and passion for the wind industry.”

The report was released on March 7, 2017 in honor of International Women’s Day and in partnership with renewable energy finance specialist Green Giraffe. Each woman selected was first nominated by her peers and then assessed and ranked by an independent judging panel made up of senior industry representatives. “It is no secret that there is a gender imbalance in the wind industry,” A Word About Wind wrote on their website about the report. “This is a trait that wind shares with other parts of the energy and financial services industries, and we don’t pretend we can change that. What we can do, however, is mark the achievements of the top women working in wind – and hopefully inspire more talented individuals to enter the sector.”